Means for wiping seal-strips upon bottles.



H. STAKE.

MEANS FOR WlPl-NG SEAL STRIPS UPON BOTTLES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16. 1911.

25,995, Patented Jan. 15, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET H. STAKE.

MEANS FOR WIPING SEAL STRIPS UPON BOTTLES.

APPLICATION men APR. 16. 1917.

1,253,995., Patented Jan. 15, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3 U a-7 as v HERMAN STAKE, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO ECONOMIC MACHIN- ERY COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I'IERMAN STAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Wiping Seal-Strips upon Bottles, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates more especially to means for aflixing top-labels or seal-strips upon the heads of bottles or the like, and for wiping or smoothing down the respective ends of such seal-strips along the neck of the bottle; the prime object being to provide a roller-wiper of such nature as will easily, efliciently and uniformly lay the depending wings of a seal-strip against the curved surface of the bottle neck, and elastically press the edges of the strip into close union therewith, without liability of tearing the strip.

Another object is to provide a label-wiper comprisinfg a cylindrical body or annulus of soft pori erous, highly resilient character, and of a substance not materially injured by moisture or wetting; also a wiper of such character having integral zones of varied density.

Another object is to rovidea label-wiper for the purpose speci ed, consisting of an internally supported roller having a porous,

elastic exterior body cylinderof spongerubber.

Another object is to provide a label-wiping roller having a rigid tubular core, sideconfining flanges, and a comparatively soft, porous, elastic exterior body cylinder of sponge-rubber, the peripheral rim portions of which are adapted for yielding outward to oppositely embrace the curvature of the bottle-neck, when the central part of the roller face is indented by pressure against the side of the neck.

Another object is to provide a seal-striplabel aflixing mechanism, including a pair of rockable wiper-carrying arms, wiperrollers presenting a poriferous elastic cylinder or Working surface of sponge-rubber, mounted in rotatable connection with said arms; means for moving said arms for passing the rollers along the neck of the bottle, a bottle support, and means for retracting and retaining the rollers separated while returning to primal position.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Application filed April 16, 1917. Serial No. 162,333.

MEANS FOR WIPING- SEAL-STRIPS UPON BOTTLES.

Patented J an. 15, 1918.

The objects and features of my invention are more fully explained in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings; the particular subject matter claimed being hereinafter definitely expressed in the summary.

For the purpose of illustration, I have in the accompaying drawings, shown my invention as adapted for a comparatively simple hand operated mechanism; but it will be understood that the claimed features of inventlon may be employed in a poweroperated labeling machine, without departing from the essential nature or spirit of the invention; and I desire to include such employment as within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, (two sheets) Figure 1 represents a front view of a seal-strip aflixing means embodying and illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 represents a side view of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the mechanism. Fig. 4 is a separate view showing a half section, half side view of my improved seal-strip aflixing W 1per-r0ller- Fig. 5 represents a longitudlnal section of said seal strip wiper-roller, with dotted lines thereon illustrating the effective action thereof when in use. Fig. 6 is an end or side view, and Fig. 7 a longitudlnal section view of my seal-strip aflixing roller in slightly modified shape, and showing the axial supporting element therewith.

In accordance with my invention, an im portant feature consists in providing, in seal strip label-aflixing mechanism, a labelwlplng roller of sponge-rubber, or having a cyl1ndrical body or working face of soft, highly poriferous, resiliently elastic character, and of a nature practically uninjurable by wetting or washing, and means for supporting the same for eflicient action.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 12 indicates the seal-strip wiper-roller whlch 1s preferably constructed substant ally as in Figs. 4 and 5, and consists of a rlgid tubular metal core 1 having an integral flange 3 at one end and a removable nut or flange 3 threaded upon its other end. An annular flange or plate 4 of metal or equivalent hard material, and of less diameter than the roller, is arranged about each end of the tubular core. The peripheral edges of said flanges or plates are preferably rounded or curved outward, as indicated,

(see Fig. 5) and an exterior cylindrical body 2 of porous sponge-rubber is arranged around the tubular core 1 and closely fitted thereon, and confined between the annular plates 4 which limit the lateral expansion thereof.

The sides of the porous elastic body 2 are best chambered out so as to form laterally projecting rim portions 5 that overhang the the indentation of the central part of the' face of the soft porous elastic body of the wiper-roller, as as 6, by the pressure exerted against the seal-strip and nec of the bottle, causes the rim portions 5 to yield and bulge outward, as indicated by dotted lines 5 on Fig. 5; thereby oppositely embracing the curvature of the bottle neck B for laying the edges of the seal-strip closely against the curved surface thereof in a thorough and efficient manner.

In some instances these porous elastic label-wiping rollers may be made as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, with the spongerubber body, or exterior face portion, formed as a plain cylinder of greater or less thickness, the recess in its sides and the outwardly curved annular plates being omitted.

'As a further feature of the invention, the sponge-rubber body of the label-wiping roller can in some instances, if so desired, be made with zones of varied density, or with a given integral portion of its thickness; as for instance, a central zone 9, as indicated in Fig. 7, less porous or denser than near the sides 7, or vice versa; so that a stronger pressure will be exerted along a predetermined line on the seal-strip, or to afford a freer yielding elasticity upon some parts of the seal-strip than at other portions.

For supporting the bottles and actuating the seal-strip rollers for applying the sealstrip to the tops thereof, numeral 10 denotes a bed-plate, seat, or table upon Which the bottle B (indicated by dotted lines) is supported, and 11 an upright rest against which the bottle is placed to properly position it for receiving its top label or sealstrip. The improved seal-Wiper rollers 12 are rotatably mounted upon journals or studs 13 carried respectively by right and left swinging arms or members 14; in the present instance pivoted at 0 to a carrier element or sliding cross-head 15 that is movable up and downupon a suitable guide 16, supported by a fixed standard or frame member 17 in connection with the bed-plate 10; said cross-head having combined therewith suitable means for imparting reciprocative action thereto, together with the wiper devices.

'The members 14, as shown, are formed as angle levers with inwardly extended arms 14*, each provided with a stud-roll 20 p1votally mounted thereon and adapted to contact with a stop 21, or upper end of the rest 11, when the wiper-carrier devices approach their lower position, or when the roll 20 comes to the position indicated by dotted lines 20 on Fig. 2; thereby causing the wiper-rollers to spread apart or to swing away from the neck of the bottle.

A suitably tensioned spring 22 is provided for drawing the arms 14 and label-wiping rollers 12 toward each other, to give the desired wiping pressure. Catch-dogs 24 are pivoted upon the movable cross-head 15 and arranged for engaging with lugs 25 upon the hubs of the roller-carrying members 14, when the latter are swung outward; the tails 26 of said. dogs are stopped against the ends of the stationary bar or frame 27 for throwing ofi ,the catch when the roller-carrying members arrive at their elevated position. Suitable springs 29 are arranged for pressing the catch-dogs into engagement with the lugs 25 when the arms 14 swing to outward position. Stop lugs 28 formed on the cross-head, prevent the wiper-carrier levers from swinging too far inward.

For depressing the wiper devices, or effecting the wiping-on movement, there is shown in the present instance, a rocker member having two arms; one arm 30 being connected by a link 31 with the sliding head 15, and the other arm 32 connected by a link 33 with a hand-lever 34 pivoted to a fulcrum block 35 fixedon the bed or frame, and provided with a stop 36 for limiting its forward movement. A spring 37 is preferably provided for elevating the sliding head 15 and wiper mechanism.

When employed in a power operated machine the hand actuating lever and connections may be dispensed with and the .sliding-head connected direct (as by link P indicated by dotted lines on Fig. 2) with any suitable moving part of the power mechanlsm.

In the operation, the seal-strip 01' label L,gummed in any convenient manner,is placed across the topof the bottle, as indicated in -Fig. 1. The wiper carrying head is then moved downward causing the rollers 12 to press the wings of the seal-strip against the sides of the neck. When the stud-rolls 20 contact with the top of the rest, at 21, the levers 14 are thereby swung outward and the catch-dogs 24 latch onto the lugs 25,

retaining the levers and wiper-rollers spread apart while the wiper-carrying head 15 is elevated. When the tails of the catch-dogs contact with the cross frame or stop 27, it throws back the dogs and allows the spring 29 to swing the levers 14 and wiper rollers to their primal position.

It may be noted that my improved sealstrip wiper-roll of the character described, acts upon the seal-strip with a soft, elastic, well distributed pressure, and practically without tendency to pull or tear the strip; the face of the roller readily conforming to theshape of the bottle-neck surface, and while giving a direct pressure for efliciently laying the strip firmly onto the bottle neck, the porous quality of its contacting face engenders a degree of air compression and repulsion along its rolling contact, and thus avoids any suction effect that might tend to loosen or weaken the adhesion of the sealstrip in the wake of the passing roller. Furthermore if the surface of the wiperroller becomes soiled or smeared with gum, as often occurs, it can be readily soaked and washed clean without injuriously affecting the further efficiency of the wiper-roll.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A label-wiper roll for applying sealstrip-labels on bottles, comprising a cylindrical body of soft, poriferous, resiliently elastic character, of a substance not injuriouslv affected by moisture or wetting and a non-yieldable cylindrical open tube fitting and extending through the interior of said body, and having end-embracing flanges of less diameter than the body, fixed upon the ends of said tube and endwise supporting the central part of said cylindrical body.

2. A labelwiper roller for the purpose specified, including a cylindric body of soft, poriferous highly elastic character, of a material not injurable by water, and comprising integral zones of varied density or porosity.

3. A wiper-roller for the purpose specified, comprising a rigid tubular axial core carrying a pair of nonyielding annular flange members mounted thereon and supported to compress the body of the roll endwise, and a centrally supported cylinder of internally poriferous highly resilient elastic material, as sponge rubber, partially embraced and laterally confined between said flange members, and having resilient annular end portions concentric to and about the periphery of said flange members, and adapted to bulge or spring outward at the edge of the strip when the central face of the roller is forced inward by pressure against the seal-strip or neck of the bottle.

4. In a mechanism for wiping seal-strip labels on bottles; a label-wiping roller the main body of which is composed of porous, elastic sponge-rubber and having resilient endwise projecting annular rim portions in integral extension of the roller face, and a pair of oppositely disposed non-elastic sideplates having outwardly rounded peripheral edges of less diameter than the body of the roller, between which the inner part of the elastic body is confined, and means rigidly connecting said side plates together in parallel relation to each other.

5. A wiper-means for wiping seal-strips upon bottles, comprising a roller having a rigid tubular metal core, separate oppositely compressing annular flange-plates supported on the core, and a body-cylinder composed of soft, poriferous elastic material surrounding the core and confined between said flange-plates, the ends of said body having laterally projecting rim portions extending over the peripheral edges of said flangeplates, for the purpose set forth.

6. In mechanism for affixing seal-striplabels upon bottles or the like, the combination of a pair of wiping-rollers each composed of a rigid tubular core provided with end-confining flanges and an exterior cylindrical faced body of soft, poriferous highly elastic character; oppositely disposed laterally swinging arms having said wipingrollers rotatably mounted thereon, a reciprocatively movable supporter carrying said arms, guiding means therefor approximately parallel to the standing position of the bottle, means for yieldingly pressing said arms and wiping-rollers toward each other, means for moving said supporter, and means for relieving the wiping-rollers from contact with the seal-strip during their return movement.

7. In mechanism for affixing seal-striplabels on bottles, a bottle-sustaining seat or plate, an upright bottle-positioning rest, a strip-wiping roller having a metal tubular core and an exterior body of sponge-rubber centrally confined upon said core, a reciprocating wiper-supporting element, an angle lever pivotally fulcrumed thereon, one arm of said angle lever provided with a journal whereon said wiper-roller is rotatably mounted, its other arm furnished with a contact member, a stop for arresting said contact member to swing said lever for'mOV- ing the wiper away from the bottle, a springpressed catch-dog for temporarily retalnlng the wiper in retracted relation, a trip-devlce for releasing said catch-dog when the Wiper is at primal position, and means for operating the wiper-supporting element.

Witness my hand this 14th day of April,

HERMAN STAKE. 

